Links can bring traffic to your site, but there are other benefits, too. A factor that influences your search engine rankings is link popularity. The quantity and quality of links to your site is considered by many of the major search engines. So, how do you get more links to your site?

Links can bring traffic to your site, but there are other benefits, too. A factor that influences your search engine rankings is link popularity. The quantity and quality of links to your site is considered by many of the major search engines. So, how do you get more links to your site?

Here’s what NOT to do: Don’t submit your site to a bunch of those ‘free for all’ link and ad sites. All you’ll get is a lot of spam, and many search engines take a dim view of sites listed in such places.

In a recent article, I suggested posting press releases to online services such as PRWeb.com. The search engines index those archives, so include a link to your site in the press release.

Of course, one effective way to get links is to link to quality sites in your field, then ask for a reciprocal link. Although they aren’t required to do so, many will link back to you.

If you belong to an organization, see if they offer free (or paid) links to members’ sites.

A solid local seo plan is a must. Consider joining or starting a web ring. Web rings are groups of sites with a common theme that are linked to each other through a navigation bar. For more information about joining an existing web ring, or creating your own, go to http://www.webring.org/. It’s free.

One of their strategies is to write a testimonial for a product or service you like and submit it to the company. Often, the company will use the testimonial with a link to your site. Want to try this one right now? Submit a testimonial for one of my products or services. If I use it on my web site, I’ll include a link to your site. (I may also use it in off-line materials, with your web site URL listed.)

There are lots of uses for the back of a business card, so why not try one (or more) of these?

All of us have business cards. Most of us have standard-size cards, printed on one side. How much more mileage could you get from your cards by using both sides?

There are lots of uses for the back of a business card. Why not try one (or more) of these? If you print your own business cards on the computer, you can make short runs of different types and see what works best for you.

Put a map of your location on the back, with directions on how to get there.

Print one or more client testimonials, with their names. To repay them for taking the time to give a testimonial, you could also list a web address or other info for them.

List your specialties, topics, or other information about your products and services. For example, a massage therapist might list the modalities they employ.

Make your card a coupon for a free consultation, a dollar or percentage discount, gift with purchase, or other value. Consider using an expiration date, or print “Offer good through” and leave a space where you can write in an expiration date.

List your seminar schedule.

Give instructions for subscribing to your ezine or newsletter.

Print quotes or sayings. In the Franklin Covey store, I saw that they give out cards with beautifully printed quotes on one side, and their contact information on the other.

Print a product or service description, from your catalog. You might want to leave off the price, or state a date the price is good through. You don’t want someone showing up 10 years from now trying to claim an outdated price.

Put a survey or response card on the back, and promise a free gift (such as a booklet) when they respond. Of course, also send them another card!

Print a form to encourage people to pass your card along as a referral.

Hand write a note, or print a note in one of the handwriting fonts. It could be something like, “I enjoyed meeting you! Please call me the next time you need an attorney.”

Put short (clean) jokes on the back of your card. Use a variety of jokes, not just one or two. Great icebreaker at a networking event!

Whatever you do, make sure you always have a supply of your business cards with you. And give them out to as many people as you can!

Diane Rossi was making a living cleaning up dog doo from backyards, apartment courtyards and other locations. She had managed to attract hundreds of clients, but faced the problem common to many service providers: She was limited in how much she could earn based on how many hours she could work.

Rossi expanded and hired part-time help, but had a hard time keeping reliable people (apparently the glamour wasn’t enough!) Finally, though, she hit on a solution that may take her from struggling service provider to successful entrepreneur. Rossi began selling rolls of biodegradable dog-waste bags. After selling to many of her apartment building clients, she landed a big contract with the City of Chicago. She plans to expand her sales beyond the Chicago area to increase her revenues and profits.

You can overcome the income limitations of a service business by (1) duplicating yourself by hiring others to perform the service under your direction or franchising your operations, (2) finding a way to package and sell your service to many, such as writing a book or creating audio tapes, training programs, how-to kits and other ways to market your knowledge, or (3) creating a product related to your business like Rossi did.

Diane Rossi may have come up with a winner with her new kind of doggie bags. But she’s not finished. Dog doo treated with heat and enzymes can be turned into fertilizer. Says Rossi, “For me to take the poop and sell it back, that’s the ultimate.”